“No.” I shook my head. “I need to use the restroom.”
“Jude,” Sam said as I got up and headed to the restroom.
I hoped they didn’t follow me. I needed space and they didn’t need to see me like this because I didn’t even know what was happening. The restroom was thankfully quiet as I did my business and washed my hands. My chest felt tight and I rubbed it to ease my anxiety. Why did this happen today of all days? Why couldn’t I just be casual like Sam and Forest?
Why did I care so much?
The door opened and a few guys trickled in. I walked out, taking a deep breath trying to get out of this mindset. Maybe I needed to go home.
“Hey, are you ok?”
I looked to my left and Iris was standing at the bar. The need to interrogate her was on the tip of my tongue, but I knew that wasn’t what was bothering me. I was projecting.
“Not really,” I said, before I could stop myself.
“What happened?” she asked, hugging me immediately. “Is Sam being an ass? I might be small, but if I take his knee out first, I might win.”
I laughed, hugging her back.
“No, just…” Did I dare tell Iris what was going on?
“Boy troubles?” she smirked as she pulled away. “Please tell me you're sleeping with both of them, or at least Sam.”
I scowled. “What?”
“Oh, come on. Y’all aren’t hiding it that well,” she chuckled.
“Seriously?” I glared at her.
“Well, you and Sam have been making heart eyes at each other for years, so here’s me hoping you've jumped in bed together,” she said, leaning against the bar. “But I see how Forest looks at you. It’s like he wants to show you who’s boss.”
My cheeks grew red immediately. “Iris.”
“Hahaha! I knew it. He’s got BDE,” she grinned. “Please tell me he’s got the equipment to back it up.”
“Iris Malone, I am not going to?—”
“He does!” She looked too excited. “I’m jealous and proud of you.”
“Izzy seriously!” I couldn’t contain the smile she brought out of me.
“So, what's the problem?” she asked, getting serious.
I shrugged. “It’s stupid.”
“Your feelings aren’t stupid and judging by the way they keep glancing over here, they know something is up,” she said, and I had to stop myself from looking at them.
“I feel like a secret,” I mumbled embarrassingly.
“Have you talked about it?” She raised her brow.
“No, but?—”
“Then you have no right to be acting like this if you can’t initiate the conversation,” she said. “Be a big boy, Jude, and ask them what this is. If they want to keep you a secret, then you need to ask yourself if you're ok with that.”
I knew she was right, so I nodded.
“Maybe they are just like you, waiting for someone to say something,” she said.
